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Sometimes in communication, we hear the words, we understand the words, and we still miss the meaning. We perceive one thing and the speaker has a different perception.
Directions can be given clearly. Yet, they may be misunderstood due to different perceptions.
In the above picture, the directions were followed. However, the teacher and student had different perceptions of the completed task.
It helps to clarify and repeat back the instructions using different words to check for understanding. Some words have multiple meanings, which can lead to confusion.
There was a young woman who received an inheritance. She spoke to a financial adviser about what to do. She reported that the adviser suggested that she put the money into a disc. No one could understand what this meant, as that advice did not seem to make sense. Someone finally asked if the adviser told her to put it into a CD. Yes, that was what he said. She then learned that CD stands for Certificate of Deposit in addition to Compact Disc.
Using analogies or comparisons when giving instructions helps the receiver to have the same picture in their mind as the transmitter. Additionally, pointing out what is NOT desired can assist with clarity.
Some considerations that influence our perceptions include past experiences, culture, and context. These factors contribute to bias, interpretations, and judgments that affect overall understanding in any given situation.
Communication can be tricky. Even with clarification and checking for understanding, misunderstandings happen. The solution is continued communication using a variety of strategies and examples.